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Sweden have always been a second tier European side with a huge potential to break through into the final stages of top competitions.

This time around, the Vikings have no excuse not to go beyond the second round with the myriad of talented players they have.

Sweden have a number of seasoned players who play top level European club football and some young players who can get the job done.

The northern European outfit has never been one to produce 'beautiful football', with the exception of the 1994 generation, but they know how to dismantle their opponents in organized fashion. However, their players tend to choke in top clashes.

History

Swedish football's best period was in the 1950s when they finished in third place in 1950 and runners-up in 1958. This generation of players included the likes of Stig Sundqvist, Bror Mellberg and Karl-Erik Palmer.

But it was down hill for the Swedes from there on as they missed out on top tournaments in the 1960s and made cameo appearances in the 1970, 1974 and 1978 World Cups.

The 1990s brought a new generation of talented Swedish players who reached the Italy finals in 1990 before reaching the semi-finals of the 1992 European Championship on home soil.

The success continued when players like Kennet Andersson, Tomas Brolin, Martin Dahlin, Henrik Larsson and talismanic goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli helped their team clinch the bronze medal at the 1994 World Cup finals.

After missing out on EURO 1996 and the 1998 World Cup, Sweden failed to go past the second round in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and EURO 2004.

Coach: Lars Lagerback (Swedish)

Lagerback was appointed Sweden youth coach in 1990. He did that job until 1995 before running the national 'B' team and then joining forces with Soderberg.

In one of the strangest arrangements in world football, Lagerback was named joint Sweden head coach alongside Tommy Soderberg in 2000.

The pair guided Sweden in EURO 2000 and 2004 and the 2002 World Cup. But after EURO 2004, Soderberg chose to take over the U-21 national team and Lagerback went solo.

He guided Sweden to the Germany finals in 2006 before helping the Nordic side reach their fourth European Championship this year.

Tactics

Sweden are known for their patience, good teamwork and a strong work ethic, all attributes that were enforced by coach Lagerback.

Nevertheless, the Swedes are big on attacking, using their strong and tall builds and the pace of players like captain Fredrik Ljungberg and Christian Wilhelmsson.

Lagerback was lucky to be able to include midfield anchorman Tobias Linderoth who has been nursing a hip injury for quite a while.

Up front it all comes down to the talismanic Zlatan Ibrahimovic who will be glad to rekindle his partnership with the legendary Larsson.

Upon request from Lagerback, Larsson made a U-turn on his decision to retire from international football after the 2006 World Cup.

The duo will be supported by Johan Elmander and veteran Marcus Allback.

Out back, Lagerback depends on a quartet of over-thirty defenders in Mikael Nilsson, Anders Svensson, Olof Mellberg and Daniel Majstorovic, who have all proved they still have what it takes.

In goal, Lagerback will have to make a decision on whether to risk playing first-choice keeper Andreas Isaksson who saw little playing time with Manchester City this season, or Rami Shaaban who put in good displays with local side Hammarby.